Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. It is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States.
Any sexually active person can be infected with Chlamydia. The greater the number of sex partners, the greater the risk of infection. Because the cervix of teenage girls and young women is not fully matured and possibly more susceptible to infection, they are at particularly high risk for infection if sexually active. Chlamydia can be transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. This means men who have sex with men are also at risk for Chlamydial infection. Chlamydia can also be passed from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal childbirth. Women are frequently re-infected if their sex partners are not treated.
Symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or absent, for this reason it is known as a 'silent' disease. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks after exposure. Unfortunately, serious complications causing irreversible damage can occur 'silently' before a woman ever realizes there is a problem.
In women, symptoms may include an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.
Men may have a discharge from their penis or a burning sensation when urinating. They may also have burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Pain and swelling in the testicles are uncommon. Complications among men are rare. Infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis, causing pain, fever, and, rarely, sterility.
Men or women who have receptive anal intercourse may get Chlamydial infection in the rectum, which can cause rectal pain, discharge, or bleeding. Chlamydia can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner.
In women, untreated infection can spread into the uterus or fallopian tubes and cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This happens in up to 40 percent of women with untreated Chlamydia. PID can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and surrounding tissues. The damage can lead to chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. If exposed to HIV, women infected with Chlamydia are up to five times more likely to become infected with the virus.
To help prevent the serious consequences of Chlamydia, screening at least annually for the disease is recommended for all sexually active women age 25 years and younger. An annual screening test also is recommended for older women with risk factors such as a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. All pregnant women should have a screening test.
Rarely, genital chlamydial infection can cause arthritis that can be accompanied by skin lesions and inflammation of the eye and urethra (Reiter's syndrome).
In pregnant women, there is some evidence that untreated chlamydial infections can lead to premature delivery. Babies who are born to infected mothers can get chlamydial infections in their eyes and respiratory tracts. Chlamydia is a leading cause of early infant pneumonia and conjunctivitis (pink eye).